Impeachment

(A truncated version of this article was submitted to the DNR as a letter to the editor.)

In response to the editorial "The 'I' Word - What is Sen. Hagel Saying?" on Saturday, March 31. I quote Elizabeth Holtzman, former four-term member of Congress in an article published in the Washington Spectator on November 15, 2006.

"Impeachment is an essential tool for preserving Democracy."

The question of impeachment does not rest on "high crimes and misdemeanors" only, but also to "faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States; preserve protect and defend the Constitution of the United States; and take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed."

In addition, "high crimes and misdemeanors" are not limited only to criminal acts, but also applies to conduct that is "a grave abuse of power or a subversion of the Constitution."

In response to the editor's question,

And for what reason does Mr. Hagel, supposedly pondering a run at the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, hold out the possibility of President Bush’s impeachment? Which “high crimes and misdemeanors” does he cite? Well, none really. Instead, he accuses the president of not being “accountable,” either to Congress or to the American people.

these would be Articles of Impeachment against President Bush:

1. Deceiving Congress and the people in taking the country to war in Iraq.
2. Directing an illegal domestic wiretapping program and other surveillance of Americans.
3. Permitting and condoning the use of torture or cruel treatment of detainees.
4. Showing reckless indifference to human life in the face of Hurricane Katrina, in inadequately equipping U.S. Soldiers, and insufficiently planning for the occupation of Iraq.
5. Covering up his war deceptions with the leak of misleading classified information, an act that became entangled with the outing of a CIA agent, a possible crime.